Last Chance

Puls'Art Blanc 2021

Domaine Einhart
The color of this Puls'Art, a splendid macerated white wine, is bright orange. The first nose, very appealing, brings aromas of candied apricot and rose petals. The second nose, very fresh, evokes green cardamom. The attack on the palate is full-bodied, balanced, with a velvety sensation. On the palate, we find the ripe apricot aromas of the first nose. The finish is powerful and spicy, vibrant, "a limestone lollipop," as the winemaker calls it. Don't confuse this Puls'Art with a Poulsard because of its name (the Poulsard grape variety is from the Jura region, a little further south). This magical wine is called Puls'Art simply because it pulsates, and Gewurztraminer macerated on the skins is a great art, we affirm. The Gewurztraminers, aged twenty-five years and entirely from the estate, are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration takes between four and nine days and fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts. Aging on fine lees is ten months in barrels and precedes bottling without filtration. From the vineyard to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives. Decanting is recommended so that your Puls’Art can spread its wings and express its mineral and charming notes, both earthy and exotic.

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Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolitic limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products, and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer [link], he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, light punching down, and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees, and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grapes, lively, powerful, and tonic, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

Fond 1er Jus Rouge 2020,

Fond Cyprès
This Languedoc estate is built on solid foundations: its two winemakers, Rodolphe and Laetitia, are also descendants of winemakers. Even before planting their first vine, they already had a clear objective: "to produce southern wines that reflect our style, wines with character, rooted in our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to create entirely natural wines, concentrated expressions of terroir. In the heart of the ancient Corbières massif, they are taking over an old estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache grapes, which have seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean, vibrant soils are ideal conditions for launching into natural winemaking. Around this historic heart, they first planted Grenache Noir and Syrah, then a plot of white grape varieties: Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 2010 and also complies with the Nature & Progrès charter. The vinification is done without the addition of sulfites or exogenous yeasts. "We make wines for pleasure," say Laetitia and Rodolphe. For them, natural wine is first assessed by taste, from the harvest. The vintages closely follow the plots, the musts are fruity, fluid, and complex. The wines of Fond Cyprès poetically evoke the estate's ecosystem and the vegetation that protects the plots: the pine forests, the shady springs, the beauty of the natural environment that brings freshness to the wines and leaves the soil's signature. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, vegetal environment and fruit expression, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.
Premier Jus is a blend of Carignan and Grenache grown on marl-limestone soils. The two harvests are processed separately: the Carignan is macerated for two days in whole bunches, then added to the Grenache must in direct pressing and during fermentation. Everything is pressed directly. A six-month aging in barrels precedes bottling without the addition of sulfites. This wine is the very image of a gurgling pleasure: a juicy bomb that oscillates between light red and dark rosé. Fresh, fruity, delicious, addictive, it awakens the spirit dulled by the summer heat.
Natural wine without added sulfites.

Les Cristallines William Pear Brandy

Domaine Brana

The Brana house, in the Basque country, is a staple of fruit brandies. Throughout the great Southwest of France and beyond, as far away as Paris and beyond, its name is immediately recognized as a classic of quality brandy. Established in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port for over a century, the house was originally dedicated to the wine and spirits trade. In 1974, Étienne and Adrienne Brana founded the distillery and planted a William pear orchard: the famous "Poire Brana" would soon be born. Later, their children, Martine and Jean, took over the business and developed the precious family know-how. While Martine, at the distillery, continued to innovate with fruits, spices, and plants, her brother Jean took care of the vines planted in 1984, in AOP Irouléguy. In addition to the wines, these terraced vines on the hillside are the source of the marc that makes the house brandy. "A Brana pear, please!" Many of us have heard this phrase on the terraces of our cafés or in the best bars. For many, the name Brana has become synonymous with pear brandy. To make it, pears from the Brana orchard, picked at the peak of ripeness, are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The resulting pear wine is then kept away from air so as not to undergo any alteration before its distillation, carried out in red copper pot stills. This traditional slow process allows for strict control of the process to ensure the quality and finesse of the eau-de-vie. Similarly, aging is carried out in stainless steel vats to preserve the freshness of the fruit and to avoid any woody notes. Bottling takes place when the eau-de-vie reaches its optimal point of maturity. It is a nectar that is immediately recognizable on the nose by its crystalline finesse, its elegance, its aromatic power expressing the quintessence of the pear. One has the impression, from the attack, of biting into the fruit. The finish, smooth, fine and long, continues to send the pear signal with force. Perfect conclusion to a good meal. Consume well chilled, between 5 and 6 °C.

Bows Vodka Single HOP Aroc, Bows

BOWS Distillery
Notes of tropical fruits, cereals, and flowers (from Evil?) for a smooth, indulgent, rounded, and slightly spicy vodka. Slow distillation gives it its purity and freshness. Delicate notes of wheat emerge, ending with a long, herbaceous finish. Enjoy iced with caviar or, in a more Occitan style, with bottarga.

Les Poupettes Rouge 2021,

Clos des B
Beautiful aromas of fresh fruit: raspberry, cherry... A round and luscious palate, but the overall impression remains quite mineral. Plenty of freshness and an incredible clear and bright color. Under this mouth-watering name, here is a magnificent gurgling, a true gift from the terroir of Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Les Poupettes is a light, easy-drinking wine, perfectly suited to spring and summer. It is a cuvée that demonstrates the commitment to reducing deliberate extraction as much as possible. Produced in the Vin de France category, Les Poupettes is a 100% Grenache red resulting from a twenty-day carbonic maceration in a closed stainless steel vat, followed by destemming. No sulfites are added, either during vinification or bottling. Malolactic fermentation is complete.

To find out more
Clos des B (initials of the two owners, Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger) is located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. They are therefore the proud producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Those who know that this region is home to some interesting viticulture will avoid thinking of the celebrity seaside resort and poolside rosé: before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they put it, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schist sands crisscrossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate has been in conversion since 2020), biodynamics, and natural methods. The wines are made without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink.

Les Cadets Rouge 2019

Château Les Graves de Viaud
A typical Bordeaux blend, the Côtes-de-Bourg of the Les Cadets cuvée is composed of Cabernet (Sauvignon and Franc, 70%) and Merlot (30%) grown on iron-rich silty gravel and clayey gravel, and co-fermented in stainless steel vats for better synergy between the grape varieties. Vinification begins with a cold prefermentative maceration and continues with a gentle, slow extraction. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts; no sulfites are added. The wine is aged in sandstone amphorae for at least ten months on fine lees to refine the tannins. The geological conditions give the Cabernets a refreshing tannic base and accentuate the roundness and fruitiness of the Merlot, while giving it a very seductive floral aromatic palette. The bouquet of blackcurrant and blackberry that appears on the nose is confirmed on the palate. 2019 is still young as we write these lines: this wine will wait a few years, and it will only get better for it.

Ivre de Vivre White 2021,

Domaine de l'Octavin

Ivre de vivre is made from a complex blend: 50% directly pressed Vermentino and 50% Roussanne and Marsanne macerated for ten days in whole bunches. The blend is made after fermentation and pressing of the Roussanne and Marsanne. The grapes come from Claude Ughetto's SCEA L'Authentique estate (Carpentras) and are vinified at Alice Bouvot's estate in Arbois. This wine includes a portion of skin maceration, which gives it a supple and pleasant texture. It presents tropical (green mango, ripe mango, lychee, mandarin), honeyed, citrus (orange and lemon), but also mineral notes: chalk, pebble, dry earth after the rain.

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“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that feels good in its skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine, it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in this wine-growing Jura often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The habit of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.
An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Art Brut - Sparkling White 2012

Bodega Barranco Oscuro
This natural sparkling wine is made from Vigiriega, a rustic, ancient grape variety native to the Canary Islands and Andalusia. The juice is vinified using the traditional method with two successive fermentations, the second being initiated by the addition of late harvest must from the same grape variety. A total of twelve months of slow fermentation, after which disgorgement is carried out without any additives. A superb wine for fried and grilled fish, and as an aperitif.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Le Desordre Blanc White 2013

Domaine La Sorga

The vines for this Chardonnay from the upper Limoux valley grow on puddingstone soil. The grapes are pressed directly and then aged without topping up in old barrels for twenty-four months. Its mineral and briny notes, laden with spices and lemon, will complement fish in sauce. Aging potential: ten years.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Pairs with: Cooked fish

Skin-Contact Zizifredo White 2021

Fréderic Cossard

Skin Contact Zizifredo is a surprising wine, a blend of Grenache Gris, Bourboulenc, and Muscat d'Alexandrie, macerated on the skins for a long time. Rare, appetizing, and sophisticated, with plenty of presence and character, it expresses notes of tropical fruits (pineapple) and various citrus fruits: mandarin, grapefruit, orange, in addition to iodine notes. On the palate, it is fresh and appetizing, with very fine tannins and plenty of fruit alongside the tension inherent in a long-macerated wine. Beyond the pun that its name constitutes (do we need to draw you a picture?), it also alludes to zibibbo, as Muscat of Alexandria is called in Sicily, the distinctive grape variety of this vintage. The grapes are purchased in the south of France by a winemaker friend of Frédéric Cossard. The vines are organic and harvested by hand, the harvest is vinified in whole bunches for nine months (it's really skin contact!) before being slowly pressed. The wine is aged in concrete eggs and bottled without the addition of sulfites, fining or filtration.

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Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undistorted by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful wine-growing practices, the winemaker used this counter-example to practice unadulterated viticulture. Thus, he produces vintages of purity and elegance without artifice which are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked for a time as a wine broker before creating the domaine de Chassorney with his partner Laure in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own wine merchant company and purchased organic grapes to vinify, according to his style and convictions, great vintages such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and several Beaujolais vintages. The practice is not limited to Burgundy, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura, Languedoc and elsewhere. At his place, the work of the soil and the vines is done as naturally as possible: regular plowing by horse, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are cared for according to the principles of biodynamics: homeopathic treatments based on essential oils, copper and sulfur in minimal doses. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out at full maturity, at the end of October. Red or white, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting.

Toile de Fond (exclusive vintage) Red 2023

Fond Cyprès

The Toile de Fond Red 2023 is an exclusive vintage from the Fond Cyprès estate, nestled in the foothills of the Corbières mountains in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This wine, certified organic under the Eurofeuille label, is a true tribute to the clay-limestone and blue marl terroirs of this southern region. The cuvée is made primarily from Carignan, combined with Grenache Noir and Syrah, offering a rich and complex expression.

Vinification and Terroir

Vinification is carried out in accordance with the principles of natural viticulture. After a three-week maceration, the wine is aged for six months in stainless steel vats, preserving the purity of the aromas. The yeasts used are indigenous, reflecting the true essence of the terroir and limiting human intervention. The estate has been practicing organic farming since 2006, with manual harvests that guarantee meticulous grape selection.

Tasting

Upon tasting, this red wine reveals a deep color with garnet highlights. On the nose, intense aromas of leather and red fruits explode, highlighting a slightly animal touch, characteristic of the wines of this region. On the palate, the texture is silky, with a balanced structure and well-integrated tannins that provide a beautiful aromatic persistence.

Food and Wine Pairings

The Toile de Fond Rouge 2023 pairs perfectly with red meats, such as duck breast or grilled prime rib. For an optimal experience, serve it at a temperature of 14-16 degrees and do not hesitate to decant it to release all its aromatic complexity.

Aging Potential

This wine has an impressive aging potential of 10 years or more, which will allow its aromas to develop further over time. A vintage to discover and rediscover over the years, for wine lovers who like to see their collection evolve.

Toile de Fond Rouge 2023 is an invitation to explore the nuances of Occitania, in an approach that respects nature and the terroir.

Cric Cric Blanc 2020,

Clos Lentiscus


This still white wine is light, pleasant, refined, and crisp. It should be drunk young and well chilled. It's a good thing it comes in a liter bottle, because it's easy to pour over, especially as an aperitif with lots of friends. Made from the famous traditional Catalan grape variety Xarello, it comes from vines planted on calcareous-sandy soils and harvested by hand. It is pressed directly, the must is vinified using indigenous yeasts and fermented for six months in stainless steel vats.

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It is in Sitges, Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, that Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, renamed Clos Lentiscus by Manel. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is total: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, mastic tree which gave its name to the estate, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established here since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices. The entire harvest is used in the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to regain its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Manel quickly earned a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, the sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties that only Catalonia has the secret to: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia from Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat from Alexandria. The vines are old, sometimes centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding, and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, takes care of working the soil.
Elegance, purity, and a crisp minerality due to the limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are renowned for their exuberance, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé.

Mérens Red 2019,

Domaine Bois Moisset

The Mérens 2019 cuvée from Domaine Bois Moisset is a magnificent expression of Southwestern grape varieties. A balanced blend of Duras and Syrah, this natural wine reveals a fresh and peppery profile, carried by aromas of crisp red fruits and a delicately spiced structure. A characterful red, ideal for enjoying convivial moments around a beautiful table or a barbecue with friends.

A meticulous terroir and vinification

Made from vines aged 30 years for the Duras and 16 years for the Syrah, Mérens draws its identity from rich and diverse soils: the Duras thrives on a north-facing gravelly slope, while the Syrah grows on boulbènes and silts dotted with rolled pebbles. The 2019 vintage was marked by a rainy spring followed by a hot summer, precipitating the harvests which began on September 7 for Duras and September 18 for Syrah. The vinification follows a natural approach: fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfites, and aging for several months in cement barrels, allowing for a beautiful expression of the fruit and terroir.

A vibrant and delicious wine

From the moment it is opened, Mérens 2019 reveals a expressive nose with accents of blackcurrant, morello cherry and black pepper. On the palate, freshness dominates, with a lively attack, followed by a beautiful fruity depth and a spicy structure that lengthens the wine into a persistent finish. Its balance between acidity, richness, and fine tannic structure makes this a red that is as accessible as it is captivating.

Food Pairings and Tasting Moments

After a light decanting, Mérens reveals itself in all its splendor. Served around 16°C, it will go wonderfully with grilled meats, red meats, charcuterie and artisanal cured meats. Perfect for a summer barbecue, a gourmet aperitif or a warm meal with friends, it is a wine for sharing and pleasure, to be enjoyed now or kept for a few years.

Cidre Fermier 2018,

Florian Bourrienne
What mainly sets Florian Bourrienne apart from other cider producers is that he makes ciders for aging, intended to evolve over the years. His orchard is located in the heart of Calvados, in the Pays d'Auge region, but outside the AOC (Protected Designation of Origin) in order to preserve the freedom and uniqueness of his ciders. We can, without hesitation, call it natural cider, because the cider maker goes beyond organic to respect the traditional production method, which is delicate, patient, and requires a tremendous amount of work. From his fifteen-hectare orchard planted with tall stems, he produces ciders for aging, excellent to drink in their youth but sumptuous after several years. The blend is carefully measured according to the characteristics of each vintage. The fruit production is entirely organic and the fermentation processes—there are two for traditional cider—are slow and patient, so that the cider is made the right way, using natural yeasts. These are preserved in the cider thanks to a light filtration that respects all the living elements capable of polishing the taste and aromas, but also facilitates the formation of foam, which must be just right: neither too strong nor too weak. It's difficult to manage, but the result is well worth it. These are mastered ciders, eminently delicious, marked by an extraordinary sweetness and roundness of apple. Over time, they acquire notes of acidity and astringency that gracefully reinforce their beautiful aromatic palette. Ciders of taste and pleasure, as delicious at the table as they are as an aperitif.

This 2018 vintage is still a little young, but it is already delicious: drink it without regret now, but if you can afford to let it wait a few more years (at least three or four), you will appreciate it even more. The color is a beautiful, slightly coppery gold. With soft bubbles and a lemony nose, it offers a round and sweet mouthfeel, moderate acidity. It is a cider of pleasure and thirst that everyone agrees on.

Mezcal Nuestra Soledad d’Oaxaca
Mezcal, a wild agave brandy, is typical of the Mexican province of Oaxaca and is beginning to enjoy great international success, which has led to a certain industrialization of its production. This one (41°) has been produced since 1887 by the Cortes family using traditional methods and made by El Jolgorio, master distiller. The agave hearts of the espadine variety are cooked in pit ovens over mesquite and oak wood, which gives the mezcal its characteristic smoky flavor. After cooking, the agave is fermented in open-air tanks and then distilled in a copper still.
This elegant and peppery artisanal spirit, with its unique flavor qualities, is already excellent neat, but make it into a margarita and you'll have a hard time going back to tequila (no disrespect to this excellent spirit).

Magnum P'tit Nouveau Gamay - Red - 2019

Vincent Wallard
This is an all-gamay carbonic maceration extracted from grapes from the Jean-François Debourg estate in southern Beaujolais. Fresh and crisp, it offers beautiful notes of red fruits (cherry). Decanting is required to allow its sweet and gourmet qualities to express themselves.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Lulu Rouge 2020,

Patrick Bouju
A magnificent and renowned wine, a rich and velvety Lulu cuvée, with animal and spicy notes, and where the red fruits are generously expressed. Lulu comes from a basalt plot in Corent, planted with Gamay d'Auvergne vines over seventy years old. The destemmed harvest macerates for five months in amphorae. Aging is twelve months in oak barrels. Decanting is recommended.

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Near Billom, the Limagne clermontoise rises eastward to form a hilly area with a mild climate, dominated by volcanic hills. This is the Tuscany of Auvergne, so named because of its resemblance to the Italian province. This land of mixed subsistence farming was once covered in vines and was the preferred domain of Gamay d'Auvergne, a robust ancient strain, the origin of dense, deep, and fruity wines. This is where Patrick Bouju cultivates and vinifies, on these high-quality volcanic soils and mainly on old vines. The soils vary between basalt, limestone, clay-limestone, and pozzolan. Patrick collects and cares for the best terroirs of Puy-de-Dôme, often abandoned, and gives them new life. He also preserves the indigenous grape varieties, of which he cultivates a good fifty, and simultaneously works as a wine merchant using purchased organic grapes. The current renaissance of the Auvergne vineyard (which was once the third largest in France) owes much to Patrick. The fact that he enjoys lending a helping hand to his winegrowing friends from France and elsewhere only confirms his image as a model, a leader. His partnerships are famous: with Action Bronson for the series A la Natural, with Jason Ligas in Greece for Sous le Végétal… Patrick practices long macerations, and the wines rest for up to six months after bottling. Very sensitive to sulfites in wines, Patrick has found that his own do very well without them. He has also found that if the grapes are healthy and concentrated, the balance is achieved by itself, whatever the successive phases a vintage goes through. His noble, chiseled, distinguished, never bland wines are immediately recognizable in the glass. They are straight, clean, precise, often marked by floral notes and a spicy minerality. They also constitute a formidable anthology of the terroirs and ancient vines of Basse-Auvergne and its volcanic soils.